In 1856, the same year as the foundation of the National Portrait Gallery in London, a young textile industrialist called Pavel Tretyakov began to collect Russian art. A quiet but resolute man, Tretyakov dedicated vast resources to the development of his collection over the next four decades. Tretyakov envisaged a national portrait collection within his gallery to celebrate prominent figures in public, intellectual and cultural life and commissioned Russia’s leading painters to portray them. By the time he donated it to the city of Moscow in 1892 it was valued at nearly 1.5 million roubles and comprised almost two thousand works of art. It now forms the core of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Russia’s national gallery in Moscow and the greatest collection of Russian art in the world.tretyakovgallery.ru

★★★★ ‘The great figures are all there in their most iconic portraits... A vivid and intimate survey of an extraordinary period’ Daily Telegraph★★★★ The Guardian★★★★ The Times★★★★ Time OutRussia and the Arts is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see masterpieces from the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.The exhibition focuses on the great writers, artists, actors, composers and patrons whose achievements helped develop an extraordinary and rich cultural scene in Russia between 1867 and 1914.The exhibition also shows how Russian art was developing a new self-confidence, with penetrating early Realism later complemented by the brighter hues of Russian Impressionism and the bold, faceted forms of Cubism.#RussiaArtsGenerously supported byWith support from the Russia and The Arts Exhibition Supporters Group:Sophia Contemporary GalleryTsukanov Family FoundationAVC Charity Foundation

CRITICS AND WRITERSWriters acquired unparalleled respect in the nineteenth century. As the country’s autocratic system of government came under growing scrutiny, writers were venerated for their ability to voice social, political and moral concerns. Of importance to many was the need to develop Russian traditions in art, music and literature, rather than imitate western European practice. Vladimir Dal and others devoted themselves to the preservation of Russian proverbs, folk songs and fairytales, while Vladimir Stasov and other nationalistic critics championed local artists and encouraged Russian themes.